This paper seeks to present core factors from the perspective of a therapist or client and sometimes both – delineating both sound and unsound therapy. The essential Ingredients to Good Therapy:
1) Safety. What is really involved in having healthy boundaries for a client to feel able to trust the therapy situation? At some point a therapist’s level of commitment to appropriate interactions will become evident. Respect. Are the values held by both parties being truly respected? How appropriate are challenges to a client’s personal religious beliefs? Feeling heard. It may surprise us to learn what may indicate to some clients that we are not genuinely interested in really hearing them.
2) Stability. Does the client know what to expect from us as a base line when consulting with us regularly? Can they rely on a certain consistency? Flexibility. As the outlook of a client changes as they heal, how can we be mindful of adjusting our approach?
3) Kindness. In this journey of life, the heart has likely been hurt along with the mind. What can be appropriate in helping address such wounds? Empathy/Validation. In cases where a client has had his needs ignored or ridiculed, how can we more likely ensure that the therapeutic process is a healing and sound experience.